Set in the middle of the North Atlantic, halfway between Europe and North America, lies the Azores, an extraordinary archipelago of nine volcanic islands. Often dubbed the “Hawaii of Europe,” this marine oasis offers open water swimming conditions unlike anywhere else on Earth. In these crystal-clear oceanic waters, you can swim alongside mobula rays, blue sharks, and marine life feeding on oceanic baitballs. Below the surface, dramatic lava arches, deep caverns, and exceptional visibility await. On land, emerald hills, volcanic craters, and natural thermal springs complete the experience.
Over six unforgettable days, we explore the Central Group: Faial, Pico, and São Jorge. Departing daily from the historic Horta Marina in Faial, our support boat take us directly to remote coastal routes and offshore marine sites. You will swim under the shadow of Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest peak, and along the towering vertical cliffs of Ponta dos Rosais in São Jorge.
The journey also takes us along the otherworldly lunar coastline of the Capelinhos Volcano in Faial. Weather permitting, we will venture out to Princess Alice Bank, a world-famous seamount 45 nautical miles offshore, for a deep-blue swim surrounded by pelagic life.
This week ends with the iconic and challenging Faial – Pico Channel Swimming Crossing (approximately 8 kilometers), which marks the beginning of Sea Week, the biggest event on the island of Faial.
Every swim is fully escorted by professional open water guides, escort boat, and safety support, giving you total peace of mind to focus on your stroke and enjoy the scenery. From navigating natural lava arches to gliding over oceanic drop-offs, every day brings a new perspective on this wild Atlantic paradise.
Are you ready to dive into the ultimate mid-Atlantic adventure?
We will meet you at Horta Airport (Faial Island), where your airport transfer will be waiting to greet you. From here, enjoy a short 15-minute ride to the hotel for check-in.
Once settled, we’ll gather for a relaxed welcome lunch with your fellow swimmers, followed by an introductory briefing to go over the exciting week ahead.
In the afternoon, we will take a short walk to Porto Pim Beach for our acclimatization swim: the perfect spot to test your equipment, adapt to the water, and enjoy the calm, clear sea along this beautiful bay of dark volcanic sand.
Today marks the beginning of our swim adventure in the Azores, as we head to Pico Island and set anchor at the stunning Baía de São Caetano.
Dominated by Mount Pico, Portugal’s highest peak, the island is world-famous for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, UNESCO-listed vineyard paths, and rich maritime heritage.
Swimming in the crystal-clear waters of São Caetano Bay offers a truly special experience: framed by rugged basalt coastlines, the bay features unique volcanic rock formations and hidden sea caves to explore, all set against the majestic backdrop of the mountain rising above the horizon.
Keep your eyes open along the way, navigating these deep waters is always full of surprises, and we never know when a whale or a curious super-pod of dolphins might join us on our journey.
After lunch, we will visit the Capelinhos Volcano on Faial Island to learn about the fascinating history behind this awe-inspiring landscape, which last erupted in 1957–1958.
Heading to the west end of Faial Island, today’s highlight is a breathtaking swim around the Capelinhos Volcano, an unforgettable route full of extraordinary surprises sculpted by the raw power of nature.
Seen from the water, you will be awed by the sheer magnificence, stark beauty, and wild inaccessibility of this volcanic landmark. As we swim, we’ll take in unique views of the iconic Capelinhos Lighthouse, deactivated following the dramatic eruption that forever reshaped the island's coastline.
Keep a keen eye on the open blue during our journey. Who knows, we might even catch a glimpse of a majestic hammerhead shark gliding through these deep waters!
After completing this incredible swim, we will head to the legendary Peter Café Sport for a well-deserved lunch, soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world’s most famous maritime hangouts.
Afterwards, we will visit the Caldeira, a monumental volcanic crater spanning 2 kilometers in diameter, surrounded by lush, primitive Laurissilva forest.
You will never forget the fourth day of our adventure. Departing earlier than usual, we embark on a 2.5-hour journey into the open ocean toward Princess Alice Bank, 45 miles offshore.
As we cross the Atlantic depths, we’re often joined by dolphins, sperm whales, and other majestic marine life.
Rising from the ocean floor, this iconic seamount offers one of the world's best encounters with the elusive sicklefin devil ray (Mobula tarapacana), boasting an incredible 90% sighting success rate.
Surrounded by endless shades of intense blue and crystal-clear visibility, the underwater world here feels like another planet.
Swimming in the open ocean alongside schools of giant mobulas, and occasionally tuna or barracudas, is a true bucket-list experience.
Enjoy a light lunch served on board as we take in the magic of this wild marine sanctuary.
Known as “the sleeping dragon” due to its striking 53-kilometer coastline, the final day of our adventure takes us to São Jorge, the central jewel of the archipelago, for an unforgettable swim around Ponta dos Rosais.
Along this dramatic stretch at the far northwestern tip of the island, you will swim beneath monumental coastal cliffs rising over 200 meters above sea leve, an awe-inspiring landscape carved by wind and waves.
After completing this spectacular final swim, the afternoon is free to relax, unwind, and prepare your gear for the crossing.
Later, we will attend the official briefing for the iconic Faial – Pico Channel Crossing, where you’ll meet your boat skipper, get to know your assigned team, and receive all technical instructions for the big swim ahead.
Today is the ultimate highlight of our journey: the legendary Faial – Pico Channel Swimming Crossing.
Over 8 challenging kilometers across open ocean, our single target lies straight ahead: reaching the shores of Pico Island.
his annual open water event, organized by the local Clube Naval da Horta, is a true bucket-list.
After conquering the channel, the afternoon will be yours to relax and celebrate this immense achievement.
In the evening, we will gather for the awards ceremony to honor every swimmer’s incredible effort.
Today we bid a fond farewell to everyone taking their flights back home.
A transfer service will depart from the hotel to the airport, fully scheduled according to your individual departure times to ensure a smooth and seamless journey.
Thank you for sharing this unforgettable swim adventure across the Azores with us.
Safe travels home, and we hope to see you in the water again soon!
Payment is made in two instalments. A 30% deposit (non-refundable if the traveller cancels) to secure the booking, and a second payment of 70% up to 60 days before the start of the trip. You may also choose to pay for the entire trip in a single payment. If the booking is made less than 60 days before the date of travel, payment must be made in full.
Most of our trips can accommodate guests who cannot swim; however, please note that this is subject to availability and cannot be guaranteed.
This trip is for those who love adventure, making new friends and feeling life pulsing through every moment! If you come with an open mind, a relaxed attitude and a desire to experience the world in a different way, get ready for an unforgettable experience.
It’s important to bear in mind that, as this is an adventure trip, the unexpected can happen. You might come across animals you don’t usually see in your daily life, the internet might be patchy, and the food might not be quite like your mum’s – and that’s absolutely fine! It’s these little details that make the trip special and authentic. And thank goodness it’s like that – if everything were the same, it wouldn’t be worth leaving home.
If you invite a friend to come with you, it’s essential that you let them know about this. At SwimTogether, we don’t want grumpy travellers. Here, a good attitude and a willingness to make the most of every moment are essential!
We usually stay in twin rooms, which may have a double bed or two single beds. Where possible, we book double beds for couples. Those travelling alone are usually accommodated in rooms with single beds.
On some occasions, you may choose to stay in a single room. Subject to availability, we can arrange for you to have a room to yourself for an additional charge, the amount of which may vary depending on your travel dates. Please contact us for further information.
The trip is confirmed once all the necessary conditions for it to take place have been met, namely reaching the minimum number of travellers and finalising all organisational details (bookings, transfers, activities, and so on). As a rule, confirmation takes place several months before the scheduled date, although this may be delayed until a maximum of 20 days before departure. It is possible that, at the time you make your booking, the trip has already been confirmed.
You should only book your flights once you have paid for the trip and confirmed with SwimTogether that your booking is finalised.
We will then provide you with our recommended flights.
Of course you can, but you’ll be on your own until you meet your tour guides and the group at the hotel on the day the adventure begins. If you’d like, you can also extend your stay and stay on for a few more days after the SwimTogether trip has finished. In either case, you can arrange to extend your stay directly with us, so you won’t have to worry about changing hotels and/or rooms.
Transfers vary depending on departure and arrival flight times. Normally, there is at least one transfer for the whole group on the outward journey and another on the return journey. Transfer times are arranged taking into account the recommended flights. On arrival at the destination airport, there will always be a driver holding a SwimTogether sign waiting for travellers. If you choose flights other than those suggested and arrive at the airport early, you may wait until the transfer time. The same applies on the return journey: if your flight is later but you wish to use the transfer to the airport, you may do so. Should you choose flights whose dates or times do not coincide with those of the transfers, we can arrange your transfer at an additional cost.
Throughout the trip, travellers will be accompanied by SwimTogether tour guides. They will also be travelling with other participants of various ages and swimming abilities, who may include young students, retired couples, solo travellers, groups of friends, experienced open-water swimmers or people who are not used to swimming outside a pool. Whatever the group’s composition, you can be sure you’ll find a mix of fascinating personalities from all over the world, united by a shared love of swimming and nature.
Travellers’ dietary requirements – including vegetarianism and severe allergies – are always taken into account, provided they are communicated in writing and well in advance. However, it is important to bear in mind that it is not always possible to accommodate all dietary requirements. Situations may arise where it is not possible to guarantee a fully suitable meal, and in such cases, it is the traveller’s responsibility to be mindful of their diet and take additional precautions, such as bringing suitable snacks or finding out in advance about the options available at the destination.
As we believe every traveller should have free time to enjoy the destination at their own pace, dinners are not included. This means that everyone can choose where, when and with whom they wish to eat. The average cost is around €30 per meal.
All guests must be aged 18 or over on the start date of our trips, or be accompanied by an adult who can swim if they are aged between 16 and 18. The price of the trip is the same as for an adult.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all our adventures, and you must provide your policy details before departure so that, in the event of any health issues during the trip, we can make a claim on the traveller’s behalf. Your insurance must provide adequate cover for medical treatment abroad, medical evacuation/repatriation, luggage and equipment, as well as for the specific activities involved in your adventure. We also recommend that your policy includes cancellation and curtailment cover, in case you are unable to take part in the trip due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness.
Standard travel insurance may not cover all the activities included in your adventure, so it is essential to carefully review the policy details. SwimTogether can arrange your travel insurance at an additional cost - our proposal can be requested free of charge and with no obligation (request travel insurance).
Alternatively, there are providers specialized in adventure travel, such as IATI, offering a 5% discount to SwimTogether clients and coverage for a wide range of adventure activities.
Please ensure that the policy you choose meets your individual needs and covers all aspects of your trip.
We recommend that all travellers attend a pre-travel consultation or speak to their doctor between 4 and 8 weeks before departure. There are generally no compulsory vaccinations, but it is important to confirm this with your doctor and to check whether any specific medication is recommended for the trip. We also advise you to check the specific recommendations for your destination.
We can reserve all the seats for you and your friends. This is always subject to availability.
On our trips, we have a wide range of swimming speeds, with participants covering 1 km in open water in between 15 and 30 minutes. As a guideline, guests should be able to swim at least 1 km in 30 minutes. The average pace on SwimTogether trips is 15 to 20 minutes per kilometre, or around 24 to 32 minutes per mile.
One of the advantages of SwimTogether trips is that we accommodate this range of speeds on every trip. At the start of the trip, the guides lead an acclimatisation swim with all participants to group swimmers of similar speeds together. Usually, two speed groups are formed per trip, although this may vary depending on the group.
By dividing swimmers into smaller groups, we ensure that everyone swims at a comfortable pace. On most of our trips, we ask that swimmers be able to swim 1 km (0.6 miles) in 30 minutes to take part.
No. After all, you’re on holiday! If you need to take a break whilst swimming, you can always hop onto the support boat at any time. On trips where we use kayaks instead of boats, the guides will be able to advise you on the various options for getting out of the water and walking parts of the route, wherever possible.
Each group of swimmers is accompanied by its own support boat during each session. On most trips, these boats usually consist of a main semi-rigid boat and a kayak; however, when motorised boats cannot be used, the guides accompany the swimmers in support kayaks. The boats and guides are there to ensure safety, provide drinks and snacks, and assist with anything you may need throughout the trip.
One of the great joys of open-water swimming is the chance to appreciate the incredible variety of wildlife, natural topography and underwater landscapes that most people never get to see. The type of marine life you might encounter varies greatly from place to place. We’ve swum with everything from manta rays and whale sharks to laid-back sea turtles and unique fish.
This trip takes place in environments where wild animals are present in their natural habitat, with limited or no restrictions or control over their movements. Some species may be dangerous, poisonous or unpredictable. Observing these animals is a privilege, but safety must always be a priority. You must strictly follow the guide’s instructions and any signage in place.
We recommend that you consider your comfort level with regard to wildlife and discuss any concerns with the host before the trip, especially if you have allergies, phobias or other related health conditions.
Tap water in the Azores is completely safe to drink, so you can fill your bottle at the hotel and at various points throughout your trip.
The cost of flights may vary depending on the season, the number of stopovers, airline promotions, extras, and other factors. On average, the approximate prices are:
Domestic flight:
- Lisbon (LIS) – Horta (HOR) – Lisbon (LIS): approx. €300
- Ponta Delgada (PDL) – Horta (HOR) – Ponta Delgada (PDL): approx. €180
Please feel free to send us an email and we’ll be happy to reply: info@swim-together.com
This experience is fully booked. Add your guest and contact information to join the waitlist. We’ll contact you if a new availability opens up, and send you a new link to book.
